A (spoiler-free) visual and textual reference for the cultures, peoples, and languages of the Academy of Cards world. All text is canon; all images are just for reference--trust your own imagination! Images created with Wonderdraft and MidJourney, under common use license.
Maps
religion
Like the seven islands of the known world, initially independent peoples and cultures united seven centuries ago during the Breaking, the commonly held worship of Kala is, at its heart, a blend of many beliefs and practices. Often referred to as the Nine Faces of Kala, it is founded around the idea that god—named here for the apocryphal Enkaji deity Kala—is multi-faceted, and individual people need their own relationships to divinity to have an authentic relationship to it. All images this section credit MidJourney.
Kala the Lover (left) is pictured as a beautiful man or woman, drawing in passionate devotees who relate to their god as divine romance.
Kala the Judge is an elderly male figure, with a long beard and burning eyes. Representing the unassailable wisdom of god, as well as its moral demands on humanity, the Judge is called upon in times of crisis and reflection. Kala the Dragon is pictured as a massive, black drake, embodying the fearsome, unknowable powers of divinity, and related to with fear, awe, and—occasionally—called upon for luck. |
Kala the Mother (right) is pictured as a matronly fertility figure, and said to protect her devotees as a mother would, drawing in the wounded and vulnerable and unsteady of world, and holding them unconditionally in her embrace.
Kala the Child is often depicted as a plump, androgynous child of two, glowing with vitality, and related to with selfless devotion and love. Called upon in times of internal change and rebirth. Kala the Witness, or Mourner, was historically seen as a bruised woman dressed in rags, with wild hair and endless tears. Turned to in times of grief and loss, she does not demand or judge, but only keeps company in darkest times. |
Kala the Warrior (left) is depicted as a fearsome, often male, warrior, challenging his followers to become better, stronger, more honorable members of their society. Celebrated with a pan-archipelago series of games and feats in mid-summer.
Kala the Holy is blank-eyed and massive—also known as Kala the Heart, they are the sublime, unknowable core of all the faces, celebrated in the first thaw of spring with reverent songs and prayers. Kala the Humble is seen as a simple farmer with bare feet, appealing to worshippers who value honesty, humility, and simplicity, called upon in times of lack and need. Celebrated with song and dance in the final days of harvest. |